Celebrating A Centenarian Hotel

Wrapped in stories of intellectuals, society balls and the development of a very cosmopolitan city, Havana's Hotel Plaza, one of the most central tourist facilities in Cuba, becomes 100 years old in 2009 and will celebrate with an ambitious and enjoyable program for guests and professionals of the industry.

The hotel's director, Iván Nicolás Melo, said the idea is to celebrate during the entire year of 2009 due to the cultural and historic relevance of the event.

On January 3, 1909, the Plaza, occupying an entire block, was opened and on that same date this year a commemorative plaque was unveiled and a ball was held on the fifth floor, just as at the inauguration.

There were some slight differences since the inauguration ball was a charity ball with high society members of the time attending, and this time it was the hotel staff and regular guests who occupied the dance floor.

Some other events related to the anniversary have already taken place, including the presentation of the "Fernando Ortiz" magazine on the anniversary, a cocktail contest, a festival of art amateurs and a press conference...